Chaps,

Going to look at a 09 Westminster today with only 62k on the clock. Reasonably priced and looks in minted condition. However, after speaking to the seller yesterday he explained that he had it SORN’d for 18 months or so. When I asked for the reggie you could see on the MOT history a lot of advisories on the recent MOT. There were two advisories regarding corrosion: one for ‘rear subframe corroded but not seriously weakened’ and the other for ‘general corrosion under body’.

Anything to be concerned about or fairly standard? Obvs can’t get it on a ramp to see the extent of the corrosion before purchase!

Many thanks!

You could raise the suspension and have a look underneath with a decent torch.
I wouldn't be parting with my cash without a good look particularly if it has lived in Scotland.

No such thing as a corrosion free car in the west of Scotland.

In saying that, anywhere north of Manchester is likely to be in the same situation, the place that would concern me more would be a coastal town with high winds. Lots of salty sea water in the air  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Ha! Yup well I live in Ayr so I feel a wax oil or similar treatment coming on! Looked at the car today. Very tidy indeed. Could see a few mm worth of pitting on rear subframe but will phone Gibsons in the morn to get their opinion.

It’s well worth checking/replacing both front to rear brake pipes as they rust ferociously and are hidden behind a plastic cover so might not have been spotted at the MOT

Thanks for that! I’ll get Gibsons to do a full assessment when / if I make the purchase.

Hi,

stood for 18 months and SORN are you planning to do a decent road test 30-60 minutes so engine and gearbox oil all get up to normal temp.

Fair point. Hasn’t actually considered that. We went out for a run for about 20 mins today but that was it. Starting to wonder if I should swerve due to corrosion issues tbh..

It’s also on for £13,250 which seems rather low for year, mileage and only 2 owners..

That price seems very high IMHO, is it a facelift and assume a 3.6?

Really? I thought it was quite reasonable.. It’s an 09 pre facelift. 2 owners. FSH.

Sorry yes, 3.6.

That's a lot of money for a pre facelift 3.6, you could get a 4,4 for that, admittedly a few more miles but a much better bet in the long term, low mileage is not always a good thing, just my opinion of course

In my experience they like to be used. I would always buy a high mileage with fewer years than the older low mileage. In the end with Range Rovers it will be the electrics which let them down and if left standing the solenoids motors etc just dont get used. You can change the suspension parts fairly easily on these (mine have all been done at least once) seats refinished was about 300 quid and last about 5 years, paint work can all be done etc etc I have kept mine and the classic is on 165k the p38 184k and the 322 220k so high mileage is not an issue if you look after them and service them properly

Seems like a low price as well for that mileage. If you can find more money (around another £5k) I'd definitely try to find a 4.4 as they don't suffer catastrophic EGR and turbo failure and the gearbox is more robust. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)